VGM Government Relations

CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows:

December 1, 2026: Bidding registration for Round 2028 opens

January 5, 2027: Bid window opens
February 1, 2027: Bidding registration for Round 2028 closes
February 8, 2027: Covered Document Review Date
March 10, 2027: Bid window closes
Per CMS, the revised bid window will give bidders additional time to prepare.

Full article can be viewed here:

CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program | VGM & Associates Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows...

The miles add up, but so does the impact. Adam Miller is on the road again this week, keeping the momentum going for DME advocacy at the state level. Following productive discussions in West Virginia focused on reimbursement challenges, rising costs, patient access, and the future of the competitive bidding program, the work continues with in-state meetings and relationship-building efforts across the country. Advocacy doesn't happen only in Washington, D.C. It happens in communities nationwide, where providers can share firsthand how policy decisions impact patients and businesses every day. Next stop for Adam is Illinois. Looking forward to more conversations with providers and policymakers about protecting access to quality home medical equipment and services.

Breaking News! S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate

S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 has passed in the Senate through unanimous consent. It now heads to the President to be signed into law. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), The Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 would:

Direct CMS to establish separate HCPCS codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on construction materials.
Create distinctions for titanium and carbon-fiber wheelchair bases.
Allow suppliers to charge beneficiaries the difference between Medicare payment and the actual cost of certain premium wheelchairs.
Include beneficiary notification and protection requirements.

The House bill, H.R 1703, was introduced by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) and passed the House on July 20, 2026.

For the CRT community, this development is the culmination of focused, years-long advocacy by providers, manufacturers, industry stakeholders such as VGM, AAHomecare, NCART, The ITEM Coalition and patient advocacy groups.

These efforts seek to align Medicare reimbursement policies with advances in wheelchair technology and for policy that recognizes the clinical benefits of lightweight, customizable mobility equipment. If signed into law, the legislation could increase beneficiary access to premium wheelchair options while creating clearer reimbursement pathways for suppliers.

VGM Government will provide updates as they become available.

Congratulations to CAMPS (California Association of Medical Product Suppliers) on the signing of AB 1794 by Governor Newsom!

This important legislative victory creates a clearer pathway for the home delivery of medically necessary enteral nutrition products, helping reduce barriers for patients who rely on these essential supplies.

It's also a great example of the impact a strong state association can have. State associations play a critical role in shaping healthcare policy, advocating for providers, and ensuring patients have access to the care and services they need.

Congratulations to the CAMPS leadership, members, and industry partners who helped make this achievement possible.

August Recess Recap: Building Relationships, Advancing Advocacy

As Congress worked through the August recess, the VGM Government Relations team remained actively engaged in securing meetings and building relationships with legislators, candidates, and key congressional staff across the country. This summer, the team made a strategic decision to focus getting a strong balance between Republican and Democratic offices, recognizing the importance of broadening support for DMEPOS priorities and ensuring policymakers from both parties understand the challenges facing providers and the patients they serve.

Read full article here: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/august-recess-recap-building-relationships-advancing-advocacy-/

We recently launched Patient Voices: Access to HME Matters, a new initiative designed to collect real experiences that highlight the value of home medical equipment and the impact it has on patients' lives. These stories help put a human face on the issues we advocate for every day.

Read more and learn how you can share your story: https://bit.ly/4yJvpui

Competitive Bidding Update: NPEast and NPWest Updating Licensure Requirement Information for Competitive Bidding Product Categories

Click here to read the full article: https://www.vgm.com/services/government-relations/competitive-bidding-update-npeast-and-npwest-updating-licensure-requirement-information-for-competitive-bidding-product-categories-/

VGM had a great meeting with Dave Muhlbauer, candidate for Iowa Lieutenant Governor. We appreciated the opportunity to discuss real health care issues affecting Iowans and share perspectives on patient access, provider challenges, and the importance of quality care in communities across the state.

Great to learn more about the work VGM does in Waterloo. Rob Sand for Iowa has a plan to support Iowa's businesses and workers so Iowa is the best place to live.

Had a great meeting with Iowa State Representative Lindsay James yesterday! Rep. James is running for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

We enjoyed discussing healthcare in Iowa, including issues impacting patients, providers, and access to care.

Thank you for taking the time to visit VGM and learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare in our state.

CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program’s bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000).

DMEPOS providers intending to submit a Round 2028 bid are encouraged to review the bid surety requirements on the CBIC website and be on the lookout for an update from CMS regarding the registration and bidding dates.

Click here to read more information:

CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program's bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000).